I only have a few days left to pick what college to go to.
My first choice is a big SEC school. I would get instate tuition here because my state doesn’t have my major so money isn’t really a factor. The problem is my brother goes here and we are close and id love to go to school with him but I also want to make my own path in life. I would love to be with him and his friends though.When I visited him and stayed for the weekend it was the place I felt most and home and I loved the school spirit there.
My second choice is closer to home, only 3 hours away in Virginia. I would be going there to play a D1 sport which is what I am concerned about. I know a lot of people that go there and end up transferring and that scares me. At my other choice id only be able to do club sports at which would be fun but very different. Money would also not be a factor at this school so I don’t know how to pick. My problem with this school is it has a more ghetto reputation, its not in the best area.
It sounds like finances are not an issue, so focus on other aspects of the school.
A big SEC school is going to have thousands (more likely 20-30k) of undergrads, so you could be very separate from your brother.
How important is your sport to you? Have you talked to players at the D1 school about what the life of an athlete looks like there - time commitment, is it 3 seasons of team work, etc.? Would you be happy at the school if you weren’t able to play your sport? It sounds like you have some questions about school spirit, even at a D1 school.
Have you visited both this spring?
Make a pro/con list for each school. Pick a few factors that are most important and weight those.
I have done an overnight at the school id play at and did like it and the team. I am concerned about time management with my difficult (biochem) major and yes it is an all year round commitment which means I cant study abroad which I would love to do.
You hit pretty dead on with the question would I be happy if I couldn’t play because of an injury or something because I am concerned and not really sure about the answer to that, which scares me.
Don’t make your life choices for the sake of being together with your brother. Things may change in life and at some point, you may want to be alone. I guess being alone is a great life experience to learn how to survive. In this sense, I’d recommend the second choice
It sounds like you’re really trying to talk yourself into liking choice 2, but you just can’t quite do it. Go where you feel at home. You have friends, including your brother. Go with it. Who says you can’t try out as a walk-on player? It’s an SEC school. If you make the team, you’re a celebrity.
Would you be able to walk on for your sport at the first school?
How certain are you of your major (because typically in this type of academic exchange you can’t change majors - if you do you lose your scholarship).
Is the second school still affordable even if you don’t play? Does it offer your major? Are D1 players at that school allowed to choose whatever major they want (check what % are in stem+ “traditional” majors, v. Majors known to be easier at that university, often sports management, recreation&leisure…) ?
Not all students at a college take the same path, so don’t worry about not being able to forge your own path. You and your brother will take different classes and each pursue what you want. It seems obvious to me that you want choice 1 but want to want choice 2 for whatever reason.
